A SUSPENDED learner driver from Tamworth has allegedly been caught driving twice in the one day by police.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 26-year-old man was allegedly stopped while behind the wheel on the New England Highway at Aberdeen about 1.50am on Thursday.
Hunter Valley police stopped the car for a routine random breath test before checks revealed the driver's learner's licence was suspended. The man was told not to drive by officers, a police spokesperson said.
About two hours later, police discovered the same car had crashed on the Hunter Expressway at Sawyers Gully, near Greta. Police claim the same man was driving at the time of the crash.
Officers also claim when they searched the car they found a quantity of cannabis, drug implements and $1620 in cash.
READ ALSO:
The man was arrested and taken to Cessnock police station where he was charged with two counts of driving while suspended, negligent driving and possessing goods suspected of being stolen.
The 26-year-old was refused bail by police and was again denied release in Cessnock Local Court on Thursday.
He will remain in custody until the case returns to court in Tamworth in early-May.
Police said a female passenger in the car has been charged with drug offences.
The charges come amid the first days of Operation Tortoise - the force's blitz on roads across the Easter long weekend.
One person was killed in a head-on crash on the outskirts of Tamworth, while the second driver is fighting for life in a Newcastle hospital.
Police said across the state less people had been caught drink driving but too many had been detected speeding.
"I am also concerned about the reports of drivers - many young and inexperienced - detected travelling at high speeds, mostly on major roads in highly-populated areas," Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
"Again, these drivers have been - and will continue to be - targets of highway patrol officers across NSW."
Double demerits are in force until midnight on Monday for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and helmet offences.